Sewing Saturday + Summer

Yesterday I went to “Sewing Saturday” hosted by the Salt Lake Modern Quilt Guild. I don’t make it to their monthly Thursday night meetings because the distance and week-night status are tricky with my family schedule, but this is my second time getting to a bi-montly Sewing Saturday, and I always thoroughly enjoy it.

(POST EDIT: A few people have asked about the pattern above. I’m using my Double Crossed pattern. I love how the change of colors change the look of the whole quilt. The fabrics are from Moda’s Dream On collection from a couple of years back. Part of using my stash!)

I always love the inspiration to be had around other quilters, not to mention the fun time visiting with great people and stuffing my face with awesome pot-luck food. It felt particularly nice to go yesterday. I think I was in need of a therapeutic escape.

We’ve officially survived enjoyed 6 weeks of summer. I will say that I’m somewhat pooped, but probably less so than other years. Summer and I have a complicated relationship. There is so much to love about summer – food, friends, warm breezy nights, beautiful weather, fresh air (when there are no fires burning), relaxed schedule. At the same time with 4 kids at home, plus assorted friends and neighbor kids, depending on the day, I start to feel like Julie from the Love Boat. It can also be exhausting and overwhelming keeping up with the constant call for food, popsicles, entertainment, and trying to keep the house from evolving into total chaos. It’s a balancing act trying to schedule enough lessons or activities to provide some structure, but still leave time for the flexibility to be lazy too.

There have been some summers in the past where I have tried to do or expect too much and put myself on the verge of a nervous breakdown. This summer I made a vow to try to just roll with life. Not let the house get to me, try not to nag the kids too much, not try to “get stuff done”, and just live in the moment. So far, I think I’m doing fairly well most of the time. We still have our ‘moments’, but I don’t want to be guilty of wishing the summer away. I have to constantly remind myself there will be time for routines and schedules and “getting stuff done” later in the fall. What are your favorite summer coping mechanisms enjoyment strategies?

Thanks so much for the Purple-y quilt love! Another casualty of summer is my computer time, so my personal responses are suffering. I’m so grateful for all of your comments and sorry not to respond more individually. Thanks for your understanding. You’re all the best.

Oh you lucky girl. To be so near other quilting groups!! :o) Look at all the creativity under one roof.<br />Your summer motto is spot on. Just roll with it and enjoy the moments. :o)<br />Have a lovely day. Trish xo

Amy I will join you in the &#39;complicated summer relationship&#39; status. It truly is a monumental challenge to keep these kids entertained, motivated and upbeat while feeling completely exhausted from the heat and constant going, school doesn&#39;t start soon enough for me.

I&#39;m very happy to hear your honesty and humor about the summer. It can be overwhelming but fun. I&#39;m happy to see the modern quilt guild. I live so far out in the country, but I&#39;m sure there has to be one here in Kansas I can find. Have a nice week. Terah

Is that your gorgeous Dream On quilt up there? Did you make that one up on your own or is there a pattern I need to buy? I love it. Like I want to head straight to sewing room and get started on something that gorgeous! Please share!<br /><br />And you&#39;re so right about summer. It&#39;s more fun when you&#39;re a kid.

I&#39;m totally feeling you on the summer love/hate thing. I also have 4 kids and it can be really overwhelming to have them around ALL the time…I started doing much better once I stopped being the Entertainment Committee and let myself do a few things that I enjoy.

Lori Holt

July 15, 2012 at 6:01 pm

Hi Amy…<br />I think we are all there with you on the summer thing!<br />I always have a huge list of what I want to accomplish and then…it&#39;s over.<br />This year my summer list was…do whatever I want and spend lots of time with family…it&#39;s been fabulous so far and it sounds like yours has too:)<br />xx<br />Lori

My husband always said &quot;Your going to miss all this when they are grown.&quot; That put summer &quot;enjoyment&quot; into perspective for me. Yes, I needed some me time everyday to remain sane, but it a blink of an eye the kids were grown…and I miss the bustle of them being home.

Do I need to join the Salt Lake Quilt Guild to be invited to those Sewing Saturdays? That looks like SO much fun. <br /><br />I have a love/hate relationship with summer. And this is sort of my first &quot;real&quot; summer with kids home from school (since my oldest just finished kindergarten) and I see where moms have been coming from for all these years … you love having them home but it&#39

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